Abstract
The Indian Wild Ass, Equus hemionus khur is found restricted to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and its surrounding areas. The populaiton of the sub species is on the increase in the ninetees since the last debilitating effects of the drought in 1987. The numbers are slowly increasing to the carrying capacity of hte area, towards the recommended numers suggested in the IUCN Action Plan. The numbers of Wild Ass may reach 4000 by 2010 AD, if current conditions prevail and there is no servere setback by droughts. However, the study on the status of the Wild Assess indicates that the increasing numbers may cause problems to the local inhabitatnts. The threats by the loss of habitat due to exotic plants, salt manufacturing activities, defence activities and cattle grazing may affect the populaiton, which is also likely to get dispersed in the coming years to the adjacent Thar Desert ares in Rajasthan. The paper discusses the population trends of the Wild Ass over the years and its effects, as also the need for alternate measures of conservation.